You’re just a lawyer, standing in front of a distracted audience, trying to retain their attention and earn their business. Your navigation could seal the deal—or not.
Multi-device website design can be tricky. A thoughtful navigation strategy will keep your online visitors focused and satisfied, increasing inquiries and conversions. When your strategy is flawed, your site may frustrate users and drive them away.
Poor navigation could mean missed opportunities, reduced trust, and lower revenue.
Here are the most common navigation mistakes on lawyer websites and how to fix them.
Visitors cannot find your navigation menu
Your menu is the roadmap to your site. If visitors can’t find it easily, they’re unlikely to stick around.
Common mistakes include menus that only appear on hover, icons that lack clear labeling, or designs that blend the menu into the background.
Make it visible: Place the navigation menu in a prominent and expected location, such as the top of the page or a sticky header.
Use clear labels: Icons, like a hamburger menu, should include the word “Menu” for clarity.
Optimize for mobile: Ensure your navigation is easy to tap and doesn’t disappear behind a poor responsive design.
We also suggest breadcrumbs as a navigation aid to help your visitors feel confident when exploring your site.
Vague and confusing copy
Mysterious and vague language? Not a great strategy for helping stressed people who need a lawyer.
Avoid generic words like “Lawyers” or “Get Help” on clickable links or nav pages. These provide no information about what a user can expect to find.
Instead, use concise and actionable labels that set clear expectations:
“Lawyers” → “Meet Our Attorneys”
“Get Help” → “Book a Consultation”
“Questions” → “Custody FAQs”
Clear labels improve the user experience and guide potential clients toward their goals. If you’re unsure about your menu copy, consider hiring a copywriter or microcopy expert to craft language that converts.
Design elements that discourage scrolling
Some design choices subtly tell your visitors to stop exploring your site. Yikes!
Avoid these common pitfalls in lawyer website design that can hurt conversions:
- Horizontal lines: These act as visual barriers and suggest the end of content.
- False bottoms: Large graphics that fill the screen make users think there’s nothing below.
- Disruptive ads: Sidebar ads break content flow and distract visitors. Too many clickable elements can actually inhibit taking action, according to Hick’s Law.
- Unclear affordances: If users can’t tell what’s clickable, they’ll leave. Highlight links with underlines, colors or arrows.
- Unexpected layouts: Stick to web design conventions, like placing the logo in the top left and ensuring links look interactive.
Did you know that there’s a standard rise and run for building a staircase? Your foot expects a standard experience—even a half-inch variation can make you stumble. It’s the same with websites.
Some design elements are conventional for good reason. These elements help users find what they need quickly because they’re common and expected. It’s far better to stick to an established design convention and convert a prospect than deviate too far and lose business. (That’s one reason we love OneFirst Legal sites for lawyers)
Too much negative space
Some negative space can make a website feel clean and modern, but too much risks losing your audience’s attention. This can be especially problematic on mobile devices, where excessive blank areas force users to scroll unnecessarily.
Fill gaps with value: Use images, testimonials or valuable quick links to keep the page engaging while not overfilling the space.
Shrink margins: Reduce the size of blank spaces around text or buttons. Choose a layout with built-in, appropriate margins.
Focus on mobile design: Optimize spacing for smaller screens to keep visitors engaged. Make sure it works on a variety of devices.
A well-designed page uses negative space effectively without making the site feel empty. Keep visitors scrolling and engaged by balancing whitespace with compelling content. Try some movement or motion to retain attention.
Review and next steps
Navigation mistakes like unclear menus, vague copy, discouraging design elements and excessive negative space can cost you business.
By addressing navigation issues, you’ll have a site that drives conversions and earns the respect of prospective clients.
Not sure where to start? Consult with a legal marketing expert to ensure your firm’s online presence supports your goals.